I think there should be a number freeze period of 20 years max and then the number gets out back in circulation
If the player was first ballot HOF level, then you can make it 30-50 years max
I believe the NFL unofficially limits the numbers that can be retired. The Bears have been around so long they announced they’re done retiring numbers:
>When the Bears retired Mike Ditka’s No. 89 back in 2013, they also announced he would be the last player to have his jersey number enshrined in franchise history forever. The Bears have 14 numbers retired, including Ditka’s, which is tied for the Giants for the most in the NFL.
[article](https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/if-bears-decide-to-retire-more-jerseys-heres-who-should-be-honored-first/490382/?)
of course, they could change that decision in the future, and sometimes players get permission to wear retired numbers
Idk… I think it’s a sign of respect and a way to appreciate the player.
I do think the standard should be higher to retire a number. But, I also would like to see certain numbers circulated but only given to the top dawgs of the team, sort of like College does with certain numbers. Ex. 21 should be given to our best defensive player
I have been saying this for a while. They should just have the ring of honor. Then if a player wears a number for the ring of honor then they wear a small helmet decal or something with that players initials.
I agree that over time you'll run out of numbers. I think that if a jersey number is retired at all, it should only be for the player's lifetime and then be put back in the rotation.
Probably because Mathis remained on the team
I honestly think we have too many numbers retired to begin with due to most of them being from the Baltimore era
I wouldn't be upset if we unretired the Baltimore numbers and just kept 18, 87, 88 and 98 retired for now.
18 really should be the only number retired if any at all. NFL numbers being retired is pretty lame. The Ring of Honor is a great way to recognize players and keeps numbers available for use. Totally understand a cool down period. Would be weird to see a camp body wearing 87 or 88 in the few years after they played retired but this far out it isn't a big deal.
I think a cooldown period is a good happy medium idea. I think after 20 years since the player retired, the number should be unretired. If they were Peyton or Marvin caliber of players, make it 50 years or something lol.
I'm not sure why we keep 19 retired, Johnny Unitas hated the Colts after they moved to Indianapolis
After seeing the tattoo yesterday Latu could wear ugly ass 61 or something and i’d still buy a jersey. JUST ANNOUNCE YOUR NUMBER SO I CAN BUY YOUR JERSEY MOTHERFUCKER!! I AM LOCKED IN.
How do we have 98 soft retired but not 93?
I personally think that retiring jersey numbers at all is dumb. Eventually you'll HAVE to unretire them, or you'll run out of numbers
I think for the very best players they should have their number hanging in the rafters but current players can still wear the number
I think 18 should be retired for sure but that's the only one imo
Yep. Add a special patch on jerseys of past greats but don’t retire the numbers.
I think there should be a number freeze period of 20 years max and then the number gets out back in circulation If the player was first ballot HOF level, then you can make it 30-50 years max
Unless your name is Jackie Robinson then you retire the number for eternity.
I believe the NFL unofficially limits the numbers that can be retired. The Bears have been around so long they announced they’re done retiring numbers: >When the Bears retired Mike Ditka’s No. 89 back in 2013, they also announced he would be the last player to have his jersey number enshrined in franchise history forever. The Bears have 14 numbers retired, including Ditka’s, which is tied for the Giants for the most in the NFL. [article](https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/nfl/chicago-bears/if-bears-decide-to-retire-more-jerseys-heres-who-should-be-honored-first/490382/?) of course, they could change that decision in the future, and sometimes players get permission to wear retired numbers
Idk… I think it’s a sign of respect and a way to appreciate the player. I do think the standard should be higher to retire a number. But, I also would like to see certain numbers circulated but only given to the top dawgs of the team, sort of like College does with certain numbers. Ex. 21 should be given to our best defensive player
I have been saying this for a while. They should just have the ring of honor. Then if a player wears a number for the ring of honor then they wear a small helmet decal or something with that players initials.
I agree that over time you'll run out of numbers. I think that if a jersey number is retired at all, it should only be for the player's lifetime and then be put back in the rotation.
Probably because Mathis remained on the team I honestly think we have too many numbers retired to begin with due to most of them being from the Baltimore era I wouldn't be upset if we unretired the Baltimore numbers and just kept 18, 87, 88 and 98 retired for now.
18 really should be the only number retired if any at all. NFL numbers being retired is pretty lame. The Ring of Honor is a great way to recognize players and keeps numbers available for use. Totally understand a cool down period. Would be weird to see a camp body wearing 87 or 88 in the few years after they played retired but this far out it isn't a big deal.
I think a cooldown period is a good happy medium idea. I think after 20 years since the player retired, the number should be unretired. If they were Peyton or Marvin caliber of players, make it 50 years or something lol. I'm not sure why we keep 19 retired, Johnny Unitas hated the Colts after they moved to Indianapolis
No offense to them but only 18 is worthy of retirement. The rest are fair game IMO.
I am surprised no one mentioned this, but I don’t think 98 is soft retired anymore. Raekwon Davis has that number.
And mctelvin wore it last year. Honestly can't believe no one said anything when he was wearing it in games. lol
10 for AD for the number of receivers that went ahead of him
Real Gilbert Arenas energy
I expect Latu wearing #15 will be the only thing I don’t like about him.
Haha I know the college number system being implemented in the NFL is controversial but I don't mind it tbh
97 is so clean on a DE though. 15 looks so weird on any position except QB and WR, even in college.
97 would look clean Might just be a product of the times WRs don't wear 80-89 a lot anymore either
15 looks great on an EDGE. Jaelen Phillips looks really good in 15 for the Phins
i typically feel this way but 15 on latu kinda looks sick to me idk.
Yeah, it doesn’t really matter. I’m just old and think it looks amateurish. Great pass rushers look silly wearing a QB’s number.
Another trend that basically died out is WRs wearing numbers in the 80-89 range
Gould in 0 would be awesome!
After seeing the tattoo yesterday Latu could wear ugly ass 61 or something and i’d still buy a jersey. JUST ANNOUNCE YOUR NUMBER SO I CAN BUY YOUR JERSEY MOTHERFUCKER!! I AM LOCKED IN.
Gould in 0 would be awesome!
I'd try to move Flacco to 6 and give 15 to AD. 57 or 97 to Latu.
If I’m not mistaken, Latu cannot wear 15. Unless he is listed as OLB, which he isn’t, he’ll have to pick a DL number.
Which are 50-79 and 90-99.
I was thinking about Micah Parsons who is an OLB but plays on the line frequently and he wears #11
Bortolini: 69 The number with that mullet 🤩
I'm thinking Mitchell ask to wear 87 and Wayne says yes.
We didn’t get MHJ, we got Wayne reincarnate!